Perhaps the frontman of Keane has recently been listing a lot to Seafret as, like their recent debut LP, the theme of water and the sea flows through it, if you'll excuse the pun.
Fans of Keane will be on familiar ground here as there's not a huge departure from the sound of the full band, but even for an act known for a downbeat look on music, this album is quite an introspective, gloomy piece, as showcased by the darker 'Still Waiting' that opens. Chaplin is on strong songwriting form and the production is strong, but you can't help wishing at times he'd lift the mood up a little.
'Hardened Heart' which is up next boasts more strings and a perkier chorus and sounds more like recent Keane material, whilst 'The River' is once more sombre in tone until the jerky synth moments bring it up to something more friendly. 'Worthless Words' remains on one level; whilst 'I Remember You' with its comparatively jaunty rhythm becomes one of my favourites on the piece.
'Bring The Rain' is as tonally recognisable as the title would suggest but there's a certain welcome warmth to it. 'Hold Onto Our Love' is once more quite gentle and downbeat whilst single 'Quicksand' proves, with its clearer production and more positive sound, it deserved to be the main cut from the album.
'Solid Gold' is a nice enough follow up whilst 'See It So Clear', with its stripped-back vibe and sing-a-long chorus make it one of the better tracks on the LP. 'The Wave' finishes things off thematically.
Keane have always been known for their ballads as much as their anthems and it's the former that comes to the fore in this solo spin off. There are a handful of stand out tracks and the vibe is pleasant and ear-pleasing, but at times you'd wish Chaplin would inject more songs with the energy of 'Spiralling' into his work. That said the lyrics are very personal and it's all done with such love and dedication. (6/10)
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